Abstract: In a method for avoiding a collision on a job site, information is received regarding a plurality of selected entities on the job site. The information is received at a location independent from the entities. The information is evaluated to determine whether a trigger has occurred. The trigger is associated with a potential collision situation involving an entity of the entities. A collision alert message is issued for the entity if the trigger has occurred.

Abstract: An actuating system for a planting device. The actuating system has an electric motor that provides an actuating force for a seed shaft. A pneumatic acting member is connected to a source of compressed air through a valve and positioned to engage the electric motor to actuate the electric motor. The source of compressed air and electric motor can thus be connected to a controller that operates the source of compressed air and the electric motor in order to provide selective actuation to control planting of the planting device.

Abstract: A method and system for delivery of location-dependent time-specific corrections. In one embodiment, a first extended-lifetime correction for a first region is generated. A distribution timetable is used to determine a first time interval for transmitting the first extended-lifetime correction to the first region. The first extended-lifetime correction is then transmitted via a wireless communication network to said first region in accordance with said distribution timetable.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are present for determining position of a rover from observations of GNSS signals. Observations of GNSS signals are obtained at a rover location, and observations of the GNSS signals are obtained at a plurality of reference stations, each reference station defining a respective baseline between the rover location and a reference station location. For each reference station, a respective differentially-corrected rover position is determined, wherein at least one of the differentially-corrected rover positions is based on one of (i) a multiple-frequency ionosphere-free observable combination, (ii) a multiple-frequency code-phase observable combination, and (iii) a single-frequency carrier-phase and code-plus-carrier-phase combination. A weighted combination of the differentially-corrected rover positions is prepared.

Abstract: Inertial navigation systems for wheeled vehicles with constrained motion degrees of freedom are described. Various parts of the navigation systems may be implemented in a smart-phone.

Abstract: Inertial navigation systems for wheeled vehicles with constrained motion degrees of freedom are described.

Abstract: A surveying apparatus includes an antenna to receive a positioning signal. The surveying apparatus further includes a tilt sensor to obtain a tilt measurement that indicates a degree of tilt of the survey apparatus. The surveying apparatus further includes a processor to obtain a positioning measurement from the positioning signal, and to determine a degree of accuracy of the positioning measurement based on the tilt measurement.

Abstract: Vehicles, such as vehicles in an open-pit mine, are visually tracked. The location of a vehicle is determined using radio frequency signals, such as pseudolite transmissions of ranging signals. The camera is steered based on the location. For example, multiple cameras are directed automatically on a vehicle based on the vehicle position. Images from a plurality of perspectives are provided to resolve or prevent a problem. The directing may include zooming for better viewing of vehicles at different distances from the camera. The directing may be incorporated into a vehicle management system, such as a dispatch system. For example, a user selects a vehicle from a list of managed vehicles or a displayed map, and the cameras are steered to view the selected vehicle based on the position of the vehicle.

Abstract: An automatic control system for passive, towed implements is described. The system provides a strategy for optimal control of a towed implement using a nudge input to an autopilot-controlled tractor. Implement path-tracking error, as measured by a GNSS receiver, is consistently corrected to zero.

Abstract: An automatic control system for passive, towed implements is described. The system provides a strategy for optimal control of a towed implement using a nudge input to an autopilot-controlled tractor. Implement path-tracking error, as measured by a GNSS receiver, is consistently corrected to zero.

Abstract: In a method for automatically directing traffic on a site, information is received regarding a plurality of selected entities on the job site. An indication of a first priority assigned to a first of the plurality of selected entities is received. An indication of a second priority assigned to a second of the plurality of selected entities is received. It is then determined that the first of the plurality of selected entities has a right of way over the second of the plurality of selected entities based upon a comparison of the first priority and the second priority.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining an azimuth of a target point is provided. The apparatus includes a support structure and an imaging device coupled to the support structure and configured to provide image data. The apparatus also includes a position measuring device coupled to the support structure and configured to determine position information and a processor in electrical communication with the imaging device and the position measuring device. The processor is configured to receive the image data from the imaging device, receive the position information from the position measuring device, determine a baseline between a first position and a second position, determine an orientation between overlapping images, and compute the azimuth of the target point relative to the baseline.

Abstract: Tools and techniques for estimating elevations, including without limitation tools and techniques that employ mobile stations with laser detectors for receiving a beam emitted from a laser source and estimating an elevation of the mobile station based on the received beam. In some instances, a mobile station may be configured to identify, based on some or all of a variety of factors, a situation in which the elevation of the detector is likely to change to the extent that the slope of the emitter needs to be adjusted to account for this change in elevation. The mobile station may also be configured to inform the laser source that the slope of the emitted beam should be adjusted. In response, the laser source may adjust the slope of the emitted beam accordingly.

Abstract: A system for determining the elevation of a part of an implement, with the implement being attached to the ends of a pair of lift arms of a loader machine, includes a laser transmitter providing a reference beam of laser light. The beam may be a thin beam that is swept in a reference plane, or it may be a pair of fan shaped beams that are continuously rotated. A first beam detector is mounted on one of the pair of lift arms of the loader machine for detecting said reference beam and providing a first output. A second beam detector is mounted on the same lift arm and is spaced along the lift arm from the first beam detector for detecting the reference beam and providing a second output. A control circuit, responsive to the first beam detector and to the second beam detector, determines the elevation of the part of the implement based on the first and second outputs, and provides a projected implement elevation.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention recite a method and system for administrating GIS data dictionaries. In one embodiment, a mobile electronic device is assigned to a workgroup. The method further comprises selecting a data dictionary comprising at least one desired GIS feature type which was not originally intended for use by the mobile electronic device based upon the assigned membership of the mobile electronic device to the workgroup. The method further comprises sending the data dictionary to the mobile electronic device via a wireless communication network.

Abstract: Embodiments provided herein recite methods and systems for corroborating position system code from Navigation Satellite System (NSS) signals. In one embodiment, a NSS high yield module attempts to determine a high yield location solution based on a first set of PRN codes. In addition, a NSS high accuracy module attempts to determine a high accuracy location solution based on signal processing of the same first set of PRN codes. A location solution corroborator module receives input from both the NSS high yield module and the NSS high accuracy module and generates a corroborated location solution. In one embodiment, a position provider outputs the corroborated location solution.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention recite a method for implementing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data collection utilizing a legacy electronic device. In one embodiment, a GIS data collector application is installed upon a legacy electronic device which is not originally intended to be used as a GIS data recording device. The method further comprises selecting a data dictionary comprising at least one desired GIS feature type which was not originally intended for use by the legacy electronic device based upon an assigned membership of the legacy electronic device to a workgroup. The method further comprises sending the data dictionary to the legacy electronic device via a wireless communication network.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention recite a method and system for implementing a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) network. In one embodiment, configuration data comprising a unique identification of a mobile electronic device and an assigned membership of the mobile electronic device to a workgroup is received. The method further comprises selecting a data dictionary comprising at least one desired GIS feature type which was not originally intended for use by the mobile electronic device based upon the assigned membership of the mobile electronic device to the workgroup. The method further comprises sending the data dictionary to the mobile electronic device via a wireless communication network.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention recite a method and system for provisioning a Java equipped cellular telephone. In one embodiment, a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data collector application is uploaded onto a Java equipped cellular telephone for enabling the Java equipped cellular telephone to perform GIS data collection functions. The method further comprises uploading a data dictionary onto the Java equipped cellular telephone comprising at least one GIS feature type.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a Q value for a subsequent inventory round can include a radio frequency identification (RFID) interrogator determining at least one of: a number of empty slots, a number of collided slots, and a number of singly occupied slots, in response to the completion of an inventory round, and applying a function to at least one of: the number of empty slots, the number collided slots, and the number of singly occupied slots, to determine the Q value.